Within the Australian Army, the parade ground holds a symbolic representation as a sanctuary for a unit’s fallen soldiers and is deemed hallowed ground.
In Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries, when a regiment marched to a town or location where they would be quartered, a place of assembly was chosen. This area would be used to draw everyone together in a 'parade'.
Once barracks became common in the United Kingdom in the late 18th to early 19th century, the buildings were normally arranged around a square. This open space would be used for a variety of parades, including fatigues, drill, pay, punishment, and the assembly of the guards.
A term used in line with the parade ground is 'holding ground'. On ceremonial occasions, troops are positioned at the corners of a parade ground. These troops are equipped with weapons to symbolically afford protection to the parading unit.
Holding ground should not be confused with the placement of old artillery pieces at the corners of a parade ground. These pieces are placed in position as a decoration and their position has no meaning either historically or by tradition.